Photo story: Tight rope walker, motivational speaker visits Brandywine

Published 10:12 am Friday, November 9, 2018

By Kelsey Hammon

NILES — Renowned tight rope walker and motivational speaker Tino Wallenda, 68, of Sarasota, Florida, visited Brandywine High School Thursday morning.

Wallenda showed off some stunts, including summersaulting across a suspended rod and balancing in a chair. He also shared some words of wisdom with the more than 100 high school and middle school students in the audience.

Wallenda is a sixth-generation performer. He began practicing on the tight rope at the age of 7. He started traveling with the Great Wallenda Troupe and has since accomplished many feats, including walking over a lions, tigers and water teeming with sharks. His highest walk was in Denver, Colorado, where he traversed a wire that was 179 feet in the air.

“My family has done some rather unusual things,” Wallenda said.

As he balanced on the suspended rod Thursday, he encouraged students to persevere.

“If I don’t give up and just keep going, I can achieve the impossible,” he said.

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